The mystery of the Los Angeles Rams preseason finale is no longer. Many had been wondering whether top overall pick Jared Goff would start the final exhibition game against the Minnesota Vikings, but that question has been answered.
According to Andrew Siciliano of NFL Network, Goff will begin the game under center for the Rams in Minnesota:
Jared Goff is starting tonight at QB for @RamsNFL
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) September 1, 2016
This is a good sign for a number of reasons. For one, it eases any potential concerns about Goff’s back injury which was always believed to be minor. The final preseason game is one in which teams rarely play their regulars, especially if there is an injury concern so clearly Goff has no issues on that front.
It remains to be seen just how long Goff will remain in tonight’s game. This is a great opportunity for Goff to get plenty of much needed snaps in the NFL and he will need as many of those as possible. On the other hand, it is still a preseason game and Goff is the future of this franchise at the quarterback position. There is always a risk for injury and the Rams’ opponent in this finale knows that all too well as their QB Teddy Bridgewater has been lost for the season due to a knee injury suffered in practice.
Even though he won’t be playing with the regulars, this will be Goff’s best chance to show fans and the rest of the NFL exactly why he was the top overall pick. As long as he has a few outstanding moments, it will get fans extremely excited about the future of the franchise, even if he won’t begin the year as a starter.
